VITA-Learn SE Minutes from 10-26-07 Meeting

VITA-Learn Southeast Meeting
October 26, 2007

Coolidge Hotel
White River Junction, VT

Minutes

Attendance - 8 people were in attendance. The meeting began with introductions. Educators with a variety of roles were in attendance.

Sharing – All present shared what was going on in their schools. Lauren Baker talked about the group’s history. This region has a formal organizational structure and have funds to support continued meeting. Lauren also discussed how she (for the organization) does bulk (read discounted) purchases of First Class yearly support contracts.

VTCITE – Ed Barry shared information on a project that VITA-Learn is involved in called Vermont Commons for Information Technology Educators. VTCITE goal is to establish a professional learning community that supports teachers and those who support teachers in improving student performance through the use of information technology tools. It is supported by a web site (WWW.vtcite.org). Ed shared several projects that would involve new people directly into Phase II of the VTCITE project. People were invited to join the project and to pass the word about the community projects.

State of the State – Arlyn Bruccoli shared several items that impacted educators statewide.
• RiverDeep Learning Village – Arlyn discussed the potential of this site and gave a brief demonstration of how on-line support will take place.
o http://rlv.education.vermont.gov/
• Login: vt.teacher
• Password: vermont
o Presentation at Vermont Fest – training & account there
• Learning Network of Vermont - Arlyn gave an overview of the present training that is occurring around the state
• Learning Network of Vermont
http://www.learn.vt.gov/
Oct. 10th Poultney
Oct. 17TH BFA St. Albans
Nov 8th Brattleboro
Nov 15th Concord
www.learn.vt.gov/support

• State Technology Plan – Arlyn updated us on the development of this plan. Noted it was being led by VITA-Learn
o VITA-Learn taking lead on convening
o Critical elements:
• 21st C skills & ISTE
• Tech literacy assessment – performance tasks
• Alignment with DOE/SBE vision
• Find ways to deeply integrate with content
• STEM
• High Schools

• Gave a brief legislative update. There is interest in Distance Learning. The legislature has even heard from states and schools doing one-to-one initiatives
• Attain Act – Arlyn talked briefly about a new bill working its way through congress that, if passed, would increase money coming into schools. It would increase funding to higher levels than has been seen in awhile.
• State Board & DOE Vision – Arlyn shared the new vision of the State Board and DOE. She was highly encouraged by the alignment between the DOE and the State Board and noted the new vision was in direct alignment with what information technology educators have been encouraging for several years.

Inspire data – John Minelli demonstrated the Inspire data visual database. He demonstrated the e-survey function.

What Can VITA-Learn DO for the SE? – Comments included continue to provide leadership for regional meetings. Attendees felt the meeting was very worthwhile. Lauren discussed how meetings in the past were often held in the Springfield area. The group was interested in pursuing both additional Regional meetings and resurrecting the idea of a “Technology fair” sometime in the future. The group seemed very interested in reactivating the regional meetings

Thanks for John Minelli for helping pull this meeting together